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Energy

Emerging Sources of Energy

How do hydrogen-powered cars get their energy?

Hydrogen-powered cars are based on fuel cells that store hydrogen, or H2 gas, inside a material called a polymer exchange membrane. The fuel cell contains two electrodes: an anode (negative side) and a cathode (positive side). At the anode, the H2 molecules are split into protons and electrons. The protons pass through a polymer exchange membrane, while the electrons are unable to pass through this membrane and thus have to flow in a different direction. This creates a current of electricity by which the car is powered.



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